Keeping up with evolving biking culture could be challenging for agencies managing trails on public lands in the coming years.
More cyclists want progressive trails and winter trails, but declining budgets and staff at federal land management agencies could make it tough to meet those desires without local volunteers.
Government officials and biking advocates discussed some of the challenges facing various trail users and provided examples of recent successes Friday at the Durango Land Symposium held at Fort Lewis College.
Trails 2000 and other groups have been essential in making projects like the new Divinity Trail at Purgatory possible in a tight budget environment, said Matt Janowiak, Columbine District ranger.
"The advocacy was there, but the horsepower was also behind it," he said.
The San Juan National Forest and the local Bureau of Land Management are going to need volunteers to help build projects and maintain the current trail network.
Maintenance needs could be extensive because there are 750 miles of trails just within the Columbine District, and the spruce bark beetle invasion will inevitably reach those areas.
"There's going to be hundreds of trees coming down for a good long time on many of our favorite trails," Janowiak said.
In addition to outlining some of the Forest Service's needs, Janowiak also expressed some interest in working with locals to expand the ability to bike in the winter.
"We need to start creating more opportunities, so they are not in conflict with the wildlife," he said.
The biking season has been extended with the rise of fat bikes, which are equipped with larger tires to ride over packed snow.
As new trails are built in the region, it also opens up the opportunity to create trails that require far less maintenance than the historical trails built 50 to 100 years ago, said Travis Brown, a former professional cyclist.
The need to streamline the bureaucratic processes required to build new trails was also addressed.
Many young bikers become frustrated waiting for trails, and that's what gives rise to illegal trails, said Ed Zink, who moderated one of the panels.
"I think we've got to figure out how to keep up with their impatience. ... They get so impatient, they give up on the system," he said.
Local successes
Durango's commitment to purchasing open space and building trails within the city was highlighted by the symposium.
Since the last land symposium held in conjunction with the 1990 World Mountain Bike Championships, the city has invested about $17 million in more than 3,000 acres of open space, said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation.
Ensuring these trails maintain their relevance into the future will likely take constant remodeling of the historic network, Brown said.
But the network is key to keeping people connected and willing to protect the stunning landscape around Durango.
"We need people to have access to that beauty for them to be advocates," he said.
National perspective
Electric bikes are a new national trend in cycling that could spark controversy among trail users, said Tim Blumenthal, president of PeopleforBikes, the largest U.S. bicycle advocacy group.
These bikes are equipped with motors to help assist the rider but could be considered irreverent among traditionalists, especially on trails, he said.
Additionally, across the nation, the popularity of cycling is growing, particularly with millennials, who are less interested in driving vehicles than prior generations.
To help meet this demand, big cities are transforming their infrastructure to be more bike-friendly, and mountain-biking trails are being built closer to urban areas.
The demand for biking trails will likely increase as the population continues to grow.
"People are always going to need and seek solitude. ... They are always going to be looking for safe and appealing places to bike," Blumenthal said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
